AGAWAM – It’s not often two teams from Western Massachusetts are scheduled to compete against each other in their respective state tournament bracket.
But when they do, it’s meaningful.
Friday night was another prime example, as the No. 1 Agawam boys volleyball team defeated No. 8 East Longmeadow in the Division II state quarterfinals by a final score of 3-0 (25-13, 25-17, 25-16) inside Clifford P. Kibbe Gymnasium.
“This is exciting because I love how teams from the West have represented well,” Brownies coach Kevin Pender said. “When I look at the Elite 8 teams, I’m so proud of how far volleyball has come in the West.”
David Dzhenzherukha (game-high 16) and Elijah Ramos (14) earned 30 combined assists to help Agawam improve to 22-2. Although one of those defeats came against No. 2 Westfield in the regional Class A championship last month, the Brownies have since claimed nine consecutive sets in the state postseason.
“That was a big wakeup call,” Pender said. “I think it gave us important licks and lessons. We took our licks, and we didn’t bring our best that day, so we paid for it. But thankfully, it wasn’t a scenario where we were turning in our jerseys the next day.
“And now we’ve been able to incorporate kind of some of those pieces we need to work on in practice daily. But it’s about staying hungry for the next stop because nothing is guaranteed.”
Agawam will now face No. 4 West Springfield in the D-II state semifinals on Tuesday night from Chicopee Comp at 6:30 p.m.
Despite eight assists from Christian Bui and 13 combined kills between Ben Mannheim (seven) and Tavion Rehbein (six), the Spartans completed their historic season at 18-5.
East Longmeadow won its first 15 games, 13 of which were via shutout, as it earned its best start in school history. But despite losing three of its next four games, which included a five-set loss against Sci-tech in the sectional Class B semifinals last month.
The Spartans then defeated No. 25 Minnechaug and No. 9 Boston Latin Academy to snap their two-consecutive year streak of losing in the D-II Round of 32.
East Longmeadow also bid farewell to its three seniors: Caleb Yeager, Cameron Loranger, and Mannheim. Regardless, though, Spartans coach Kyle Andolina couldn’t be more proud of his team’s accomplishment.
“If you look back historically, this was our best year,” Andolina said. “But it’s all about the hard work the guys have put in each day, so I’m proud of them. I don’t think a lot of people expected us to make it here, let alone win our last-round matchup, so just to be here was a win in our books.
“I hope we’re back here next year. The younger guys have seen what it takes to be here. Though we’re replacing three starters, what we’re really replacing is the heart. Like the captains who show up, so hopefully the younger guys can step up and show what they are made of next year.”
Moments into the first set, Loranger recorded one of his two aces to move East Longmeadow ahead by one as the crowd rose to their feet. The momentum was shortlived, though, as Dennis Nesen continued Agawam’s streak of five consecutive points with a one-handed slam to move them back on top 11-7 before the opposition called timeout.
It wasn’t enough, however, as unforced errors helped the Brownies make it a 10-0 run before Mannheim located a kill between multiple defenders along the left edge. Rehbein then followed with a teardrop along the front of the left net to cut the Spartans’ deficit to 23-13.
But none of that mattered, as the Brownies scored the final two points to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series.
Agawam’s success continued in the second, as the home team took advantage of its height, strength, and experience. For example, the Brownies’ primary objective has been to locate opposing defensive holes and weaknesses.
And that’s precisely what occurred Friday, as Chase Gerani (six kills) earned a kill along the weakside before Timothy Karcha (eight kills and seven digs) earned an impressive ace in the back middle to extend the Brownies cushion to 18-3.
“Having the experience has helped us get the momentum we needed,” Karcha said. “We haven’t lost a set yet, so we’re going to be focused for our next game and push through.”
Agawam maintained a comfortable double-digit lead late in the second set. East Longmeadow said otherwise, though, as the Spartans used an impressive 11-5 run to keep it a 23-14 deficit before Benjamin and Nicholas Mannheim earned a combined block down low to keep the set alive.
Despite the valiant effort, Agawam recorded two of the following five points to claim its eighth consecutive set.
“We’re doing the best we can,” Pender said. “We try and do our homework the best we can so we can execute our strengths against their weaknesses. And sometimes, it’s about being familiar with your opponent.”
In the end, that set the stage as the Brownies claimed the opening two sets and never looked back as their 17th combined season shutout solidified their third consecutive appearance in the D-II state semifinals.
Agawam, though, will attempt to move one step closer to raising its first state crown since 2023.
“West Springfield knows us as well as we know them,” Pender said. “I got to coach some of those guys in the winter, so that gets tough because there’s no surprises that we can throw at each other.
“We have to execute our brand of volleyball at the highest level to try and get past a great team in them.”
